EBOLA + MEDIGARD

THE Ebola scourge could spell good news for Gold Coast company Medigard (ASX: MGZ) as its blood collection device finally hits the market.

The fledgling medical instruments developer says sales of the device are expected to start in March with the product gaining exposure in the global medical industry after featuring in the 2014 Sol Millennium Catalogue.

Medigard last year secured an exclusive licence agreement with Shanghai Sol-Millennium Medical Products Co to manufacture and distribute its Blood Collection Device and Blood Flash Needle.

Medigard chairman Don Channer told the company’s annual general meeting this week that shareholders and directors “look forward to the rewards” ahead thanks to next year’s sales launch of the device.

He says feedback from the Blood Collection Device’s recent showing at the Medica trade fair in Germany had been “positive”.

“Our aspirations of being cheapest and best are being satisfied,” Channer says.

“All manufacturing machinery has been modified for the change in materials and samples of the new device are being circulated in selected locations in the US, UK and hopefully soon Brazil.

“Although it has taken us very much longer than expected to arrive at this position, our experience and success in the evolution of the Blood Collection Device has provided a clear pathway for the commercialisation of future products.”

Medigard says the Blood Collection Device has patents in Australia, the US, Japan, Canada and Europe, while the 3ml vacuum retractable syringe has patents in South Africa, the US, Australia, China, Japan and Canada.

“The Blood Flash Needle which will be the next focus for the company and Sol Millennium has granted patents in Australia, South Africa and Europe,” says Channer.

“With the incidence of such terrible epidemics as Ebola, the need for safety medical devices is increasing.

“We believe the company and Sol Millennium will be well placed to help satisfy this need.”